Open Letter to the Premier

Dear Premier Notley:

On October 1st, 131,600 more people will get a raise they deserve because of you and your government.

Minimum wage earners work hard, and Alberta’s higher minimum wage is giving workers the dignity, the recognition, and the spending power they deserve. By increasing Alberta's minimum wage to $15 over the past three years, you have helped hundreds of thousands of working Albertans – and you’ve also helped the economy.

By putting more money in the pockets of workers who will recirculate that money in the local economy, you’ve also helped small and local businesses thrive. Since 2015, jobs have increased alongside minimum wage, even as employers and special interest groups made ludicrous claims about impending job losses. These claims have been proven false with real data on employment.

The truth is that minimum wage increases – even large increases and increases made during recessions – have never led to job losses in the economic sectors most likely to employ low-wage workers. And now, Alberta has seen the evidence.

The bottom line is that a $15 minimum wage in Alberta is good for people and good for the economy. It’s the right thing to do.

Premier Notley, we applaud you for sticking to your commitment to the $15 minimum wage.